Aberdeen Harbour has welcomed the longest vessel to visit the port in its history as part of its £350 million South Harbour construction.
The 175.6 meter-long MV Beltnes arrived into South Harbour on the morning of Wednesday 29th May. The Self Discharging Bulk Carrier successfully discharged 35,000 tonnes of fill material behind concrete caissons, as part of the creation of the Dunnottar Quay.
The vessel will make seven return trips to South Harbour to complete the Dunnottar and Castlegate Quays. The fill material used behind the caissons has been quarried from Norway and will provide these quays with significant heavy-lift capacity, all designed to support activity associated with the onshore and offshore energy industry.
Michelle Handforth, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Harbour Board, said: “The arrival of the MV Beltnes is a real tipping point for Aberdeen Harbour, and a prime example of why we need the South Harbour expansion: even in its construction phase, we can bring in a vessel which could not fit into the North Harbour.
“To put the size of the vessel into context, it is the same length as Crathes Quay, our shortest quay in South Harbour. I would like to thank our Marine and Engineering Departments who ensured the MV Beltnes could arrive safely into the Harbour.
“Our critical path elements associated with the construction project are on time, and we have a summer of intense activity ahead of us, as the footprint of South Harbour continues to emerge from the sea.”
